Iran releases 'pardoned' British sailors

Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced at a press conference today that he would pardon the naval crew as a gift to the British people. He called on the British government not to punish the seven sailors and eight marines for their "confessions". While pardoning the sailors, President Ahmadinejad insisted the UK was at fault. Aside from the sailors' alleged "trespass" into Iranian waters, the president took the opportunity to criticise the UK's involvement in the Middle East. The UK and US had invaded Iraq on the false premise it had weapons of mass destruction, he argued, and have now brought "misery" and "destruction" to the world. "The occupation forces continue to stay there and people are still being killed," Mr Ahmadinejad continued. The president added no one appeared willing to "stand up and defend the rights of those oppressed"; in a statement likely to increase speculation Iran is attempting to assert its power in the region.

READ HERE